Improvement in folding-cases



`1. c, BARKER.

l yFolding-Cases.

Patented Feb. 18,1873.

AM Hlm-uma GRAPHlc co. N. Masson/Es macgss) NITED STATES PATENT GFFIGE.

JOHN C. BARKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO JAMES L. BRANSON, OF SAME PLACE.

uviPRovEMENT IN FOLDING-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 135,878, dated February 18, 1873.

To all whom 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. BAKKER, of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding- Cases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a top-plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; and Fig. 3 is an end view with one side and end folded.

Similar letters of reference in the drawing denote corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide, for the use of those persons having goods to be transported on public conveyanees, a case which, when not in use, can be folded up into a very small compass, thereby reducing the cost of transportation of the case to the place where it is to be filled; or, when the season for which it was used is over-as, for instance, when it is used by those transporting fruits to market-the case can be folded up and packed awayready for the next season. It is specially adapted V for the transportation of live stock, fruits, and vegetables.

In the drawing, A is the top, formed in two parts, each part composed of two side pieces, a a, two end pieces, d af, and a numbervof cross-pieces, b b, the number to be used being regulated according to the article to be transported andthe size of the spaces between them desired. The top pieces are hooked or fastened ltogether by any desired means. The sides N are formed of strips or slats B, the

bottom slat B being rounded at the edge next to the bottom, and a recess, bf, made on the under side of same for the hinge C to work in. D are the end pieces. The bottom M is composed of side pieces withvcross-slats, and the ends are formed of any desired number of slats, F, the outer ends of which are fastened together by a cross-strip made long enough to project above the top slat, so as to serve as a stop to prevent the slats of the end pieces from passing between the slats B of the sides when turned to them. To the middle slat of the ends is pivoted an arm, G, which, when the case is opened, is placed ina perpendicular position the foot being stepped in a sea-t, g, in the end piece of the bottom, and the top end fitted to be received in a slot formed in the side pieces of the top for that purpose, thus making the case, when open, very rm; and when the case is to be folded it is turned down, and with the ends folded into theV sides. The end slats E are placed at one end between the side pieces B, and secured loosely into post tion by a pin, 7L, which admits of the end being folded and unfolded, as desired. The pin h, when it goes through the end slats, is also extended down to the open hinge C fastened to the bottom side piece, and formed with an opening in its lower end, through which is passed a rod answering to the pintle of an ordinary hin ge,

To make the ease more durable,the ends and corners may be covered, if desired, by sheet metal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the folding'case, having its sides7 ends, and top hinged to fold, as herein described, with the pivoted cross-pieces Gr,

-when constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN C. BARKER.

Witnesses: N. K. ELLswoRTH, E. A. ELLswoRTH. 

